When I'm cheated, Frank, I give you leave to make me have an
agent, but not till then. There's my little Erminia singing away, and
nobody to hear her."
CHAPTER V.
Christmas-Day was strange and sad. Mrs. Buxton had always contrived to be
in the drawing-room, ready to receive them all after dinner. Mr. Buxton
tried to do away with his thoughts of her by much talking; but every now
and then he looked wistfully toward the door. Erminia exerted herself to
be as lively as she could, in order, if possible, to fill up the vacuum.
Edward, who had come over from Woodchester for a walk, had a good deal to
say; and was, unconsciously, a great assistance with his never-ending flow
of rather clever small-talk. His mother felt proud of her son, and his new
waistcoat, which was far more conspicuously of the latest fashion than
Frank's could be said to be. After dinner, when Mr. Buxton and the two
young men were left alone, Edward launched out still more. He thought he
was impressing Frank with his knowledge of the world, and the world's ways.
But he was doing all in his power to repel one who had never been much
attracted toward him. Worldly success was his standard of merit. The end
seemed with him to justify the means; if a man prospered, if was not
necessary to scrutinize his conduct too closely. The law was viewed in its
lowest aspect; and yet with a certain cleverness, which preserved Edward
from being intellectually contemptible.
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